The cyclist path (Pieterfietspad)
For over forty years, hikers have been happily walking the Pieterpad, from the absolute north of the Netherlands to the deep south. Almost 500 kilometer across the country. "On the road again..." A route that lets them sing their way through the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands. Cyclists were often left with envy. Until recently, as Eigen-Wijze Reizen now offers the Pieterpad by bike, often on smooth asphalt and with the same experience from north to south.
Bustransfer
This year, we offer an additional service for this cycling holiday: a bus transfer from Maastricht to Pieterburen. When you arrive in Maastricht, your car will still be in Pieterburen, no worries! Our minibus will take you back to the starting point with your luggage and bike! But that's not all... If you are in the south of the country, you can also join in Maastricht, and we will drop you off at the start point. Along the way, we make a stop in Almen, so you can split your cycling holiday into two parts if desired.
Cycling through Drenthe
Meditation started in Drenthe. As soon as you step onto the saddle, you are overcome by the ultimate feeling of relaxation. Not surprising in a province where time has no hold over the hustle and bustle of modern life. Cycling from Assen to Coevorden, the second stage of this Cyclists' Path, we experience the primal feeling of Drenthe. According to the Dikke Van Dale, "oer" is a prefix that intensifies the actual word. So, primal strength is more than just strength. "Oer" stands for robust and authentic. That is why Drenthe presents itself as the primeval province of the Netherlands. You cycle through landscapes so natural that it almost seems as if no human hand has touched them. Places where the present and past easily meet.
Across the Sallandse Heuvelrug
Just past Hardenberg, the village of Rheeze reminds us of the villages we encountered earlier in Drenthe. Here, too, beautiful new wickerwork. Then we pass Ommen, Lemelerveld, and the idyllic Hellendoorn. In addition to the bakery ice cream museum (the world-famous "raketjes" come from here), it also offers a National Park. This is where the Sallandse Heuvelrug begins. After the Holterberg, we zoom down the hill with considerable speed. At Holten, we leave the hills behind and come into view of Lochem and Almen, marking the end of the fourth stage. Luckily, there are still five more to go.
Heavenly Ice Cream at Helpoort
The Pietersberg is in sight. In Maastricht, make sure to stop at the Helpoort, part of the first city wall built around 1230. It is now the only gate of Maastricht and the oldest city gate in the Netherlands. If you're lucky, you might find a truck offering heavenly ice cream right after passing through the Helpoort.
The Fietserspad closely follows the famous Pieterpad, from Pieterburen to Maastricht. You can walk the roughly 500 km, but even by bike, you’ll experience the best of the Netherlands. And all in just nine stages. This cycling holiday can be completed in one go over 11 days, or split into two parts: six and/or seven days.
The cyclistpath
